Support "A Million Children Praying the Rosary" in VenezuelaTuesday, December 4, 2012

Project Code: 239-20-89

It is 9 a.m. The children in the classroom pause in their schoolwork and get out their rosaries. The teacher starts to lead them in the prayer of the Rosary, and the children join in. It is a striking scene, repeated in thousands of places around the world. In other places kindergarten children break off from their play. Those who are too small to pray the Rosary paint pictures, bring flowers for Our Lady, or sing hymns instead.

For seven years now this campaign, known as "A Million Children Praying the Rosary," has been ongoing. The initiative began in 2005 in Venezuela and has since then spread right round the world. Its initiators recall the words of the famous Padre Pio, now Saint Pio of Petrelcina, who said, "When a million children pray the Rosary, the world will change." The campaign was also inspired by Pope John Paul II, who said, "I am counting today on the effectiveness of this prayer as a source of peace in the world and in families."

Venezuela, where the campaign first began, has great need of this prayer. It is a country with a socialist government that has caused the Church many difficulties and created obstacles for her work wherever possible. Although over 85% of the population are Catholics, the Church fulfills her work of service among them in very adverse circumstances. One might describe her as an "insidiously threatened Church," as one Venezuelan bishop put it, speaking to ACN. And quite apart from the political reprisals, there are repeated incidents of the desecration of sacred images and statues in the Catholic churches. All the greater then is the need to strengthen the faith of the children and to enlist them in the struggle for the good and true, for peace and unity.

The campaign is a beautifully simple one. "A Million Children Praying the Rosary" means that the children pray wherever they happen to be: in the classroom, the kindergarten, the church, or even in hospital. There is no travel, no transportation necessary. Nonetheless, some materials are still needed in order to make the campaign better known, such as posters, leaflets, and pamphlets. ACN is helping with $5,700, so that next year still more children can join in the campaign. Will you join us in supporting "A Million Children Praying the Rosary" in Venezuela?